Photo Essay: Counter Poster Party

By Naomi Harris

The Food Co-op at this university hosted a poster counter party April 4 in response to the exclusionary posters found on campus in the last few weeks. The students came together to defend marginalized students against oppressive voices.

Students and other members of College Park made posters as a response to the recent controversial white supremacist posters found on the university campus. One major theme expressed was “Racists are not welcome here.” (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

One student works on her poster while discussing with her friends the importance of conversation between students and the university administration. (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

Katherine Montella, a freshman English major, decided to attend the poster party with three of her friends. (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

Pete Myers, a senior economics major and coordinator of the poster party, wanted to host an event to publicly oppose the white supremacist posters found on campus. “Something needs to be done. I didn’t see a response before and I know there needs to be one. Feeling like a community and linking people together is really cool.” (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

A poster example, “Don’t Let Neo-Nazis Poison Our Campus,” was written by a participant in the Counter Poster Party as a response to the controversial and offensive posters found on campus. (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

Participants in the Counter Poster Party work together while discussing what other initiatives can take place on campus to combat the potential presence of white supremacists on campus. (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

One graduated student, Connor Laughland, attended the poster event after he heard about the white supremacist posters that were hung up around campus. Though Laughland was not surprised by the offensive material he thinks events like the poster party can help, he said. “I wasn’t surprised about the posters. Since the election these sentiments have become much more normalized in public spaces. I think events like these can strengthen our mobilization efforts. There have been several protests since the election and I hope we can preserve identities on this campus.” (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

“Something needs to be done. I didn’t see a response before and I know there needs to be one. Feeling like a community and linking people together is really cool,” said senior economics major Pete Myers. (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

“I guess it’s been really upsetting to hear there have been violent and aggressive white supremacy posters hung up,” said junior sociology major Mandy Stussman, who is pictured left. “My roommate saw an anti-semitic one and as a Jewish student that scares me. We shouldn’t let the bully win. We should plaster the school with our response. Silence will let people win and that we agree with them. Everyone cares and we are mad about this.” (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

Featured Photo Credit: A poster example, “Don’t Let Neo-Nazis Poison Our Campus,” was written by a participant in the Counter Poster Party as a response to the controversial and offensive posters found on campus. (Naomi Harris/Bloc Reporter)

Naomi Harris is a senior multi-platform journalism and sociocultural anthropology double major and can be reached at naomi.j.harris01@gmail.com.